A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{April 19, 2015} Ah…The wonder of playing in the water

I don’t know about you, but I love water, just about everything to do with water.

Now, when it comes to water playgrounds and water features and slides, my nieces are champs at them! They absolutely la la la love playing in the water, try getting them out of a fun bath time!

But put them in a kids pool with a water feature and slide and they are in heaven! They know where they are going, what they want to do and are so excited after they try something new and love it. At first, they are trepidatious, but once they do it, they know it and want to do it over and over and over and over and sometimes you are required to go with them and try it and some times, you just have to watch so they can show you how awesome they are at it!

Today, we went on a rapid river tube ride that I have been on many times and it’s not too rough, so we thought the girls could go with us. PSM and I got in one double tube and GES and EJS got into another and away we went. We, of course, had a blast and EJS, who we were concerned about, LOVED it! “Again! Again!” Should we see if ACS and MGS want to do this? We came around the bend and who did we see? ACS and MGS getting into a tube!

Did they have fun? You bet your bippy! Just before the rapids, MGS got into my tube and the boys went on their own and she had the best time! So good that when we got to the end…”Again! Again!” And again we went!

Those girls have so much fun and it’s such a fabulous thing to see and watch and experience and enjoy and I am so privileged that I get to share the experience with them!

{April 13, 2015} A comedy of errors to a wonderful result!

On way to a happy outcome and needless to say I’m happy.

I have been wanting to do Global Entry for quite some time now but I always got stopped in the process of completing the application. Two Sundays ago I decided to complete the application, I’m not sure which took longer Global Entry or eHarmony! So many questions!

I wish I’d had Global Entry when I was coming back from Ireland, it would have saved me a lot of time, but you live and learn. I’ve heard or stories about how long it takes to get an appointment, but I completed the application on sunday and received notification that my application was accepted on Wednesday!

I looked for places to set up the interview and they had an opening or several openings this morning in the Atlanta Airport. I set my appointment time for this morning at 6:30 a.m. EST.

I got up at 5.m., after falling asleep at 4 a.m. I left the house at 5:30 I was on the road by 5:33 which is exactly what I wanted. I even got to say goodbye to SDL.

I headed to the airport, got gas, then returned the car. My appointment was for 6:30, I got on the shuttle for the International terminal at 6:25…uh oh…I got to the terminal, got confused on where I needed to go, took everything through security, got stopped because of my sock change purse. What, doesn’t everyone keep their money in a sock?

I finally got to where I needed to go, it was about 6:50, they still took me! I had heard stories that it was hard and the interview took a long time, nope. I was in there probably about 6 minutes longer than was necessary, but Officer Gibbs and I were having a great laugh.

Approved! Wahoo!

What does Global Entry mean to me…I can skip customs by scanning my passport at one of the kiosks you see at the airport. I get TSA pre-check, but I already had that, I also get Nexus, which gets me in and out of Canada and in a few days, I’ll have the card that will help me at border stops in Canada and Mexico! Wa…hoo!

So now, I don’t have to wait in those long lines at customs when traveling, I am so excited! Where should we go first?

http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about

{April 8, 2015} Ooh, a treat!

Tomorrow, something wonderful is happening.

I get to sleep in! My first class isn’t until 9am, so I get to sleep until 7:30, oh my!

Now, you may be saying, 7:30, that’s not that late, but when you get up every day by 5:30am, oh boy, let me tell you my friends, sleeping until 7:30 is a dream! I am going to get up after the sun, what?

I will leave the hotel tomorrow and look at the sky and wonder what that big bright golden ball in the sky is, a new experience…I can’t wait!

Gotta go to sleep now so I can sleep in!

{April 5, 2015} My day…starts with a Science party, ends with a Seder!

What a day, you may want to sit down for this, get a cup of coffee, it was a crazy day!

The day started at a reasonable hour, about 8:15am, this was after I woke up about 7am and said “no way, good night!” and went back to sleep!

When I got up, it was time for breakfast, matzoh brei was on the menu, Y U M! One of my favorite breakfasts and I think a favorite of many people who celebrate Passover, it’s basically matzoh fried with egg [or scrambled eggs with matzoh in it]. VERY simple recipe, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matzah_brei. You can eat it as is, you can eat it with salt, or something sweet, I like it with sugar and jam or preserves, I found out today, people like it with syrup, your choice. The funny thing about matzoh brei is that people who love it say they’d eat it throughout the year, but don’t, it’s not something you think about or always have a box of matzoh just hanging around waiting for you to want to make matzoh brei!

After breakfast it was time to finish the prep for EJS’ birthday party…I don’t know if you remember me telling you that she was sick on her birthday a few weeks ago and had to postpone the party, well today was the day. EJS is a huge fan of science and experiments, so for her birthday, she wanted to have a science party, how cool is that!

She has been fascinated with science and experiments for a long time and I’ve done some experiments with her and her friends, they all love it! She even wore the lab coat and protective goggles I got her for Chanukah!

So…the prep…we had already set out the pans with glass jars and glitter, but this morning, we had to prep a whole bunch of dixie cups with the ingredients for the experiments. We had baking soda, soap, vinegar, raisins and water, they were doing three different experiments, Dancing Raisins, Tornado and a Volcano.

The kids all started arriving about 11, they watched a video about 3D printing and then ACS gave a demonstration, very cool. Next they watched a video about the first experiment, then gathered in the dining room to try it. They followed the same pattern for the next two experiments, they had a blast!

After the experiments, it was time for lunch! Matzoh pizza it is! I told you we can get creative when the need arises! Then dessert and singing, soon after, it was time for everyone to leave.

But wait, there’s more! About an hour after everyone left, EJS went to a birthday party for someone else and two hours later, came back with two friends for a play date and during that time, MGS had a friend from across the street came to play with her, his dad was here too.

During this time, we finished cleaning up from the party, I did some organizing, which I love [cabinets, drawers], then it was time to get dressed, PSM was coming to take me to his second night Seder.

I think I told you last night that some people will do a second night Seder, well, I was invited to one tonight and as we weren’t hosting a second night, I went. Their Seder was a little more in depth, especially since there weren’t any teeny tiny tots running around. There was singing and prayers and food, oh at the food!

The awesome thing was that his aunt and uncle keep kosher, so I couldn’t even bring something if I wanted to, so we brought dried fruit for dessert, now you might be saying, what’s so awesome about that? I’ll tell you…his aunt made me a special meal that was 100% vegan, it was great! I appreciated it so very much.

The family is silly and funny and every engaging and welcoming and warm. I was comfortable and really enjoyed myself…I even got an invite for next year! So flattered!

Now, I just need to remember to send them a thank you!

Let’s just say it was a very long day. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I had taking them and participating!

{March 30, 2015} My day! Surprise snow…twice! Niagra Falls…once!

This morning started early, as every day does, so what else is new?

I get to the airport in Boston, drop my bag, get through security, weather is chilly, but nice, skies are clear. I got breakfast, had a nice sit down, well, as nice as the food court at the airport is, but nice is what you make it, right?

I went to the gate, hung out, had to put my jacket back on when they opened the door, brrr, still clear skies, then I walk down the jet-way and get to the door and what? Snow? Really? Come on! Ok fine…but someone needs to have a chat with Mother Nature, seriously!

So, then we wait and wait and wait some more, the flight was supposed to leave at 9:25, it was about 10:15 that the de-icing truck finally showed up from the other side of the airport! They only have one?! I’m glad I wasn’t teaching today! We finally took off and got in about 11:54, getting off the plane, SNOW! What? Not on the menu! I got my bag, rental car had apparently been cancelled, but they gave me one, thankfully. Headed to the hotel in the snow.

By the time I got to the hotel, no snow, clear skies, so I decided I was going to take a trip to Niagara Falls, the Canadian side. Skies were clear, only about a thirty minute drive, parked, walked down to the water and what started happening? Rain, fun. But I did not let that damper my spirits, truly amazing! I walked to the welcome center, taking some great pictures along the way, ignoring the rain, what a site, so majestic and breathtaking!

I picked up a few things, I don’t bring things from each week I am away, but I went to Canada!

When I came out, it was really coming down, walked to the casino, had some lunch, then headed back to Buffalo…In the snow and rain and sleet and it stopped when I got to the hotel! The sky is beautiful and clear and bright. I was done for the day!

Up to the room, jammies on, chilling out, getting some work done and hoping to get some much needed rest before I start teaching classes tomorrow morning.

I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I enjoyed taking them and being there. A great way to end the day. Amazing!

{March 29, 2015} A good veggie burger

I love a good (veggie) burger.

When I say I love burgers, I always mean veggie burgers, I have to explain as people give people me a funny look.

What I don’t understand is why more places don’t offer veggie burgers, it’s such an easy thing to have on hand. You can buy a box and keep them on hand in the freezer, especially burger joints or pubs, just saying.

I’ve told you about some good ones I’ve had, but tonight, while I was thoroughly enjoying my home made veggie burger, baked in the oven, not on the grill, at The Common Man restaurant with PSM, http://www.thecman.com/m/restaurants-and-menus/common-man-concord.aspx…let me just say Y U M!!! I decided that I need to keep track and share with you the different veggie burgers that I experience around the globe.

Who knows what other veggie burger lovers are out there, you know I love to share!

Here’s to a new venture of tasting and sharing!

{March 28, 2015} Today

What a day….

Today started too early…

Skied hard…

New boots…issues? not sure…

Knees buckled…

Giant bags of ice…

Good dinner…

Good company…

Too tired to say more…

Good night.

{March 18, 2015} New Phone..good and bad

I got a replacement phone today!

For a few weeks, I have been having trouble with my cell phone, my beloved Galaxy Note 3, I love this thing! Unfortunately, I have dropped it a few times, but it still works, and that was in the beginning with a bad case.

For the past few weeks, it has started to get fuzzy, the volume doesn’t work well, for calls, notifications, alarms [you know, for waking up on time], anything. The charging port seems loose, won’t keep the cable in, battery is not so hot either. There is also this double beep, like someone is listening…who wants to listen to my oh so stimulating conversations!? [I watch too many crime dramas and spy movies, maybe someone is taping my phone! ooh].

So, needless to say, I was not a happy camper these last few weeks and I am not due for a new phone until February, but I went to Verizon to see what they could do and they did! A new phone was shipped yesterday and now, it’s in my hot little hands.

So…the good…it’s new, no bumps, bruises or scratches, sound quality is good. Now, the bad…you have to download all those apps again, personalization, things like that, where your old phone was set up just so, now you have to start over. On the other hand…you have to start over! Fresh, clean, slate.

You just got a new cell phone /replacement phone…what are you going to do next?

“I’m going to Disneyland!”

{March 14, 2015} Skiing with my family! FUN!

This weekend we are all up in New Hampshire skiing and it’s been great!

I landed last night in Boston, PSM picked me up, we headed to New Hampshire where GES, ACS, EJS and MGS were meeting us to spend the weekend. I haven’t seen them in two weeks since I went to NYC to visit dad last week, so seeing them was great!

MGS saw me when I got out of the car and she was fit to be tied, what a greeting, EJS was still waking up from the drive, not as enthusiastic! MGS asked if I could sleep with them last night, I loved that!

This morning, we all got up, some earlier than others, EJS…had breakfast and hung out. There is also another family here to ski, friends of PSM, with two kids one year younger than both the girls, so there is playing, running, screaming, let’s just say fun!

The other family needed to rent skis, so we headed to the mountain. EJS was excited to ski with me again and MGS couldn’t wait to get on a chair lift with Auntie J! I was tickled. We got to the top of one of the lifts and away we went. What a great skier both girls are! EJS is getting better with her form and parallels, but…she just wants to go fast, which I totally get and she wants to beat everyone to the bottom, you go girl!

MGS is so stinking cute! She really got into her own this year and has made great strides, she is also fearless! There were many times where the girls would ski ahead and we would catch up or someone would ski first, then the girls, then someone taking up the caboose.

One of the times I was with MGS it was great because…I believe I told you she is a wee tot, well, those kids are so cute when you see them on the slopes and as we were skiing under the lift, people were looking at her and smiling and saying things like “you go!” “woo hoo!” It was a lot of fun.

It really was a treat to ski with both of them, to see and feel their enthusiasm and they are such troopers “one more, one more, I’m going to beat you to the bottom, one more”. It was neat to be able to ski with my sister again after all these years. I don’t think we’ve skied together since college, so this was fun. I loved watching her, she has great form and is a very smooth skier.

We skied from about 10:30am to 3:15pm, with a short break for lunch in between, really great!

After skiing, back to the house to relax, snack, have dinner and then eventually pass out on the couch in front of the fire. That sounds pretty good to me, I wonder what’s in store tomorrow!

Happy Happy to my friend TS!

{March 10, 2015} Niagara Falls at night

Tonight, an exciting and fun experience.

I’ve told you how I get to do cool stuff while I’m onsite for some projects, tonight was no different. We went to Niagara after dinner, how cool is that?!

Since we are in Buffalo for this project, we knew we would have to go to The Falls at some point, so JO found a deal for the Sheraton, we got the room, vouchers for food and drinks, a bottle of wine and a voucher for the casino across the way, great! So tonight, after work, we met downstairs and had dinner then walked less than a mile to Niagara Falls!

It’s night time, so it wasn’t easy to see very far, but it was still cool and beautiful. From about two blocks away you could hear the rushing water, then as we got closer, it got a little chillier and when we were there, we could feel the spray on our faces.

It was a fun experience and one I hope to do again, in daylight hours, but I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them!

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